Israel wild Flowers: Nicotiana glauca, Tree Tobacco

Nicotiana glauca, Tree Tobacco,

(Hebrew: טבק השיח)

A 2- to 6-m shrub or small tree, native of South America (Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia) and has been cultivated and widely naturalised in the Mediterranean region.

The plant is named after Jean Nicot (1530-1600), a French diplomat, who is said to have introduced tobacco to Europe.

He introduced snuff (powdered tobacco that is sniffed up the nostril) to the French court.

Glauca from the Greek meaning “bluish-gray,” is referring to the powdery coating on this plant.

The leaves of the Nicotiana glauca are large, alternate, petiole, ovate, and blue-green in color with that powdery coating, which are smoked for ritual purposes by Navajo Indians. Nicotiana glauca is being studied to be used as a treatment for nicotine addiction since it does not contain nicotine, but analog alcaloides (anabasine [insecticide]). It has tubular yellow flowers that appear between April and October. The nectar of the Nicotiana generates high levels of hydrogen peroxide, which protect flower parts from fungal infection.

The flowers attract the Palestine sunbirds (Nectarinia Osea), important nectar consumers and pollinators of the Nicotiana glauca.